Letter 5014: Ad eundem de commendatione puellae

XIV To the same man, on the commendation of a girl When I was hastening on my journey, kindly father Gregory, by the way where the holy tokens of your predecessor are, where it is reported that a tree, fallen and torn up by the roots, leapt up with its foliage at Martin's prayers, and now by the merit of faith stands scattering its remedies, healing many bodies though it remains bare of bark: here a father and a mother, in tears, with a girl, filling the air with their voice and wetting their cheeks with weeping, here I set my foot, here I lent my ear: there is opened to me by their mouth, scarcely between their sobs, the daughter who had been sold. I inquire further: their complaint declares that with no proof of theft the father went under the yoke [of servitude] on the charge of theft; that he had wished to make payment, with witnesses swearing in due order, naming each man by name, yet in his need he had not been able. No judge was present; an accuser was pressing hard: what was I to do here, a man of the church, when power forbade my acting? 'If Martin himself,' I said, 'were more present here, the shepherd would have allowed none of his sheep to be lost.' But nevertheless I took courage, calling you to mind, highest priest, you who by your devotion bring back the hope of your predecessor: examine, sift the matter, and, if it be otherwise, rescue her, sweet and a father, and add her to the flock; restore this girl too to her father. At the same time protect me, your servant subdued to your service, dear one, by your holy refuge, bountiful shepherd.

XIV Ad eundem de commendatione puellae Cum graderer festinus iter, pater alme Gregori, qua praecessoris sunt pia signa tui, quod fertur convulsa iacens radicitus arbor Martini ante preces exiluisse comis, quae fidei merito nunc stat spargendo medellas, corpora multa medens, cortice nuda manens: fletibus huc genitor genetrixque puella, voce inplendo auras et lacrimando genas, figo pedem, suspendo aurem: mihi panditur ore vix per singultus vendita nata suos. quaero adhuc: questus perhibet nullo indice furto furti ex obiectu hanc pater ire iugo; se voluisse dare et iurantes ordine testes nomine quemque tenens, nec potuisset egens. non aderat iudex, erat accusator adurguens: hic ego quid facerem, posse vetante, sacer? ῾si plus hic᾿, dixi, ῾praesens Martinus adesset, nil permisisset perdere pastor ovem᾿. sed tamen invalui recolens te, summe sacerdos, spem praecessoris qui pietate refers, discute, distringe ac, si sit secus, eripe dulcis et pater adde gregi: hanc quoque redde patri. me simul officio famulum tibi, care, subactum protege perfugio, pastor opime, pio.